Author discusses autism and parenthood

Jo Case, the author of memoir Boomer and Me, will speak at Muse on Sunday afternoon about her life and writing.

She was inspired to write the book after her son, Leo, was diagnosed with autism.

Rather than following the path of other parents who have written about their experiences raising children with autism, Case detailed her re-evaluation of herself and her family's connection to the spectrum when looking at Leo's traits and mannerisms.

The book takes a broader look at Case's self-doubts and discovery, focusing on the challenges not only of people with autism, but also of how those close to people with the condition deal with new insights offered from information about the spectrum.

Her visit to Canberra, during which she will speak with Prime Minister's Literary Award-winning poet Melinda Smith, is designed to discuss the world of both people with autism and those close to them.

Smith has also written about the autism in her collection First… Then… Case said she had taken part in many speeches since writing the book across the country.

"So far the reaction I've had from people with autism has been mostly positive," she said. "I've found a lot of parents whose children have just been diagnosed have been very interested in it as well."

While writing a memoir, Case said she was careful to decide what to include and omit from the final copy, weighing up what would best work for the story.

"You can't have it all appearing to be fine, you have to include the challenges you've had along the way, but you also have to be careful in balancing it," she said.

After the book's release, Case said she hopes its release would help raise understanding about the autism spectrum and the great diversity within it.

"I think a lot of people would define autism by certain behaviours or characteristics, when it's really very wide-ranging."

Case's discussion will begin at 3.30pm at Muse in Kingston.